At least 12 civilians, including four children, were killed and 57 others injured as the Pakistan Army unleashed heavy artillery and mortar shelling along forward villages on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, officials confirmed.
The intense shelling came just hours after the Indian Armed Forces conducted missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoJK) under Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir, which had claimed 26 civilian lives.
According to officials, the Indian Army is responding firmly to the shelling, having destroyed several Pakistani posts, resulting in significant casualties on the enemy side.
⚠️ Poonch District Worst Hit
The Poonch district bore the brunt of the Pakistani attack, accounting for all 12 civilian deaths and 42 injuries, several of them critical. Residents were forced to seek refuge in underground bunkers or evacuate to safer locations, as shells rained down on villages and even reached the Poonch district headquarters.
The deceased were identified as:
- Balvinder Kour alias “Ruby” (33)
- Mohd Zain Khan (10)
- Zoya Khan (12)
- Mohd Akram (40)
- Amrik Singh (55)
- Mohd Iqbal (45)
- Ranjeet Singh (48)
- Shakeela Bi (40)
- Amarjeet Singh (47)
- Maryam Khatoon (7)
- Vihaan Bhargav (13)
- Mohd Rafi (40)
🔥 Widespread Destruction Across Multiple Sectors
Heavy shelling was reported from Balakote, Mendhar, Mankote, Krishna Ghati, Gulpur, Kerni, and even the Poonch bus stand, where several vehicles were damaged.
In Uri sector (Baramulla district), 10 people, including five children, were injured.
In Rajouri district, three others sustained injuries, while Karnah sector (Kupwara district) saw several houses catch fire.
Evacuating victims proved extremely challenging amid the continuing bombardment.
🪖 Indian Army Responds, Schools Ordered Shut
An Indian defence spokesperson stated that the Indian Army is responding in a “proportionate and calibrated manner,” inflicting heavy damage on Pakistani posts.
The Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, announced that all educational institutions across Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, and Poonch districts would remain closed on Wednesday due to the volatile situation.
📢 Tensions Rise Amid Ceasefire Violations
This marks the 13th consecutive night of cross-border firing, despite the renewed India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement signed on February 25, 2021.
“Pakistan again violates the Ceasefire Agreement by firing artillery in Bhimber Gali in Poonch-Rajouri area. Indian Army is responding appropriately in a calibrated manner,” the ADGPI of the Indian Army posted on X.
🌍 Background: Operation Sindoor
Earlier this week, the Indian Armed Forces struck terror targets in Bhawalpur (Pakistan’s Punjab province), Kotli, and Muzaffarabad (PoJK) as part of Operation Sindoor, vowing to hold perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack accountable.
🗺️ Travel Advisory
Travelers and residents are advised to:
- Avoid border areas
- Follow official advisories
- Remain indoors during shelling alerts
